I’m going to show you the finished project and a bonus project that I made. Then I’ll show you how I would use this block to design a larger quilt and how colors and fabrics can change the look!

I’m just skimming the surface of what’s possible, but hopefully, you’ll get a couple of ideas that will start the wheels churning so you can come up with your own design.

Trimming a quilt

One tip about trimming your quilted project.

Notice that there’s no border beyond the points of the churn dash blocks. If I trim right along the edge of the blocks, the points of the half square triangles will disappear under the binding.

To prevent the points from disappearing, I’ll trim about ⅛” beyond the edge of the quilt. That gives more room to put the binding – don’t forget, I use a generous ¼” seam allowance when putting on the binding so I need a bit more room than the standard ¼” seam allowance.

Trimming ⅛” beyond the edge of the project

The trimmed edge – ⅛” beyond the edge of the tabletopper

Here’s the finished project. It’s a super easy tabletopper and can be made in any color combination. Use only one light and one dark, or use fabrics from the same color family as I did, or make it seasonal with some of Northcott’s amazing seasonal collections. This tabletopper can be used for any occasion!

Triple Churn Dash tabletopper

When I was making the blocks for the pictures, I was merrily cutting away and realized I had enough to make three small (6½”) blocks.

What to do with three blocks? Why a table runner of course. The setting triangles for this runner were made by cutting one 10½” square that was then cut on the diagonal twice to get this cute little runner. Alternatively, I could have quilted each block individually and made some mug rugs as well.

Table runner made with extra blocks

Now that we’ve seen those finished projects, let’s have a look at how else we could use this block and some color variations, as well as using a different fabric collection.

Version 1 – Four Large Blocks

In this version, I’ve taken four of the large (24″) blocks and put them together.

Then, added a small outer border in the same white as the background so there’s no danger of the points getting hidden by the binding. The thin outer line is the blue binding. The blocks butt directly to each other which can cause some issues with bulk at the intersection of those points. This quilt measures 50″ square. There’s lots of negative space around the blocks to showcase some beautiful quilting.

Four triple churn dash blocks set in a horizontal setting

Version 2 – Add Sashing

I used the same layout as above, but this time, I added a 3″ sashing of the same Toscana fabric (9020 – 10) used for the background between the blocks and as an outer border. Now there’s no issue of bulk around the points of any of the blocks. Lots more negative space for quilting. The finished quilt is 57″ square.

Four triple churn dash blocks with sashing and an outer border

Version 3 – Blocks on Point

In this version, I placed the 24″ blocks on point. This significantly increases the size of the quilt to 68″ square as we’ve added a center square, setting triangles and setting corners. Notice how the blocks, when set on point, seem to be more dynamic than when set straight. Definitely a lot of negative space for quilting.

Triple churn dash blocks set on point

Version 4 – Multiple Sized Blocks

In this version, I used one 24″ triple churn dash block for the center of the quilt. I added a border of 6″ regular churn dash blocks around the center block and then a second border of 12″ regular churn dash blocks. A small border of the white background was added as the final outer border.

The resulting quilt looks very busy and I envision a lot of bulk where those points of the blocks met each other. The finished quilt measures 62″ square.

Triple churn dash block is used in the center with two rows of churn dash blocks for borders

Version 5 – Adding Negative Space

I felt the previous version was a bit too busy so I decided to add some negative space between the rows. I added a 3″ border between the center block and the first round of 6″ churn dash blocks. It’s easy enough to calculate that border width. The churn dash blocks in the next round are 6″, therefore the center block has to increase by 6″. Divide that number by 2 (for each side of the center block) and add the seam allowance. Then I added a 6″ border between the two churn dash borders. This definitely takes away the business of the quilt, but it’s rather large measuring 80″ square.

This solution also doesn’t address the issue of the bulk where those points meet.

Negative space has been added between the center block and the two rows of churn dash blocks

Version 6 – Adding One Row of Churn Dash Blocks

If I simplify the design and only use one round of 12″ churn dash blocks, I get a very nice crisp looking quilt. I’ve added some negative space between the center block and the churn dash row. I also included a small border on the outside of the quilt to ensure all those points will be sharp. Finished size of this quilt is 64″ square. I still haven’t addressed the issue of those points meeting.

Version 7 – Adding a More Complex Churn Dash Block

I felt the inside of that 12″ churn dash block (in the previous version) looked too empty so why not try a 12″ double churn dash block. This helps to echo the block in the center and reduces the amount of negative space. It also added an extra border on the outside of the churn dash border. The size of the quilt is 64″ square. I definitely like this better and I like the value contrast in the blocks in the outer border.

Version 8 – Center Block on Point

Since it’s easy enough to do, why not try the center block on point? It looks great and adds a lot of movement to the quilt. You still have negative space but in a different configuration. I kept the double churn dash for the outer border as well as the white outer border. Finished quilt measures 62″ square.

Center Triple Churn Dash block is on point

Version 9 – Border Churn Dash blocks on point

The center block looked so amazing set on point that I decided to set the regular churn dash block on point in the border. I love it! I can feel that triple churn dash pull me into the quilt. The finished size of the quilt is 50″. I added two borders in the same colors as the churn dash to add some interest and notice that I shouldn’t have any issues with bulk where the blocks meet up.

Center Triple Churn Dash is on point as are the Churn Dash blocks in the border

Version 10 – Change up the colors

Now that I found a design that I’m really keen on, let’s throw some different colors into the mix. I grabbed some solids from the Northcott ColorWorks Solids 9000 collection.

Looks equally nice with the green background and various shades of green for the churn dashes.

Change the colors to green

Version 11 – Change up the fabrics

If you’re not into solids, why not try one of the textured basics from Northcott. Here I’ve used Canvas with its weathered look texture in gray and blue. It looks amazing!

Fabrics changed from Toscana to Canvas fabric

I hope you like this brief example of designing quilts. I could go on and on with different designs, but I think you get the idea. It’s an amazing process and I love being able to play with many options until one of them speaks to me. Once I have something that I love, then I start to bring in the fabrics. As mentioned on the first day, it’s so easy to download any of the Northcott collections into the computer-based design software.

I’ve made many quilts that were designed this way and the results look just like the picture. I love that!

If you make a tabletopper or a quilt using the Triple Churn Dash block and Northcott fabric, we’d love to see it!

Elaine Theriault is a teacher, writer and pattern designer who is completely obsessed with quilting. Elaine’s Tech Tips column (originally published in A Needle Pulling Thread magazine) is now available online in e-book format at QUILTsocial.com.
When not quilting, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Lexi and Murphy, or can be found cycling across the country. Her blog is crazyquilteronabike.blogspot.com.